Tree protector



All@ 6 1946- i J. o. SAVAGE 2,405,452

TREE PROTECTOR Filed May 1o, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 firm/MEMS.

Aug. 6, 1946. J. o. SAVAGE TREE PROTECTOR Filed M y 1o, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 o IVENTOR,

Patented Aug. 6, 1946 2,405,452 TREE- PROTECTOR John O. Savage, Trenton, N. J.

Application May 10, 1945, Serial No. 592,997

4 Claims.

This invention relates to portable housings designed for use in protecting fruit-bearing trees to prevent damage to the fruit on the trees, due to frost or cold.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a protector of this character comprising a pair of frame sections adapted to be positioned at opposite sides of a tree, and moved to positions to completely house the tree.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fabric covering which may be readily moved to a position to cover the frame, to retain heat Within the housing, should it be desired to use smudge-pots or other heat-producing medium, with the housings.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a protector constructed in accordance with the invention, and illustrating the protector in its upright position, portions of the fabric cover having been broken away.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, in detail, the housing embodies a frame comprising separable sec-.- tions 5 of identical construction. Each of these, sections embodies a frame comprising semi-circular lower rods 6 and intermediate semi-circular rods 1. These rods 6 and 1 have their ends connected to the stays 8. The rods 6 and 1 are also connected with the stays 9 whereby the stays 8 and 9 are held in proper spaced relation with respect to each other. The upper ends of the stays 8 and 9 are connected with the semi-circular plates ID which have their straight edges so arranged that when the sections are brought together to positions as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the straight edges of the plate will contact, providing a disk-like upper plate. One of the plates l0 is formed with an opening to receive the latch member Il, which is pivotally connected to the opposite plate, the latch member being urged into the opening, by means of the spring I2. A cable indicated at I3 has connection with the latchmember Il and may be operated to release the latch member from its opening, to allow the frame structures to swing downwardly away from the tree housed thereby.

The stays 8 are substantially long and connect with the pivoted arms I4' that are removably connected to the supporting bars l5, by means of the bolts I6 that are shown as extended through the arms i4 and ears rising from the supporting bars. Spikes indicated at I 'l extend from the supporting bars i5 and may be embedded in the ground surface to properly support the housing.

Each section of the frame is provided with a' canvas or fabric cover indicated by the reference character i8, the covers being so arranged that they may slide. downwardly over the frames to a folded position adjacent to the lower rods 6. Tabs indicated at I9 are connected with the fa'bric cover of each section, and these tabs aiord means whereby the cables 2B are connected to the canvas coverings. The cables 20 extend over the outer surface of the sections and when pulled, will act to draw the coverings to their extended positions over the frame sections, as illustrated by Figure 1 of the drawings. As clearly shown by the drawings, they canvas coverings are formed with eyes that lit over the hooks 2| so that these coverings may be readily removed from the frame, when desired.

Cables 22 are connected with the stays 8 of each section, at points adjacent to the upper ends thereof, so that when the sections of the housing have been properly positional at the base of the tree to be covered thereby, the cables may be pulled to swing the sections of the housing together completely enclosing the tree to protect it against the frost and cold.

From the foregoing it will be seen that in the construction shown and described, I have provided protectors in the form of portable housingsY which may be readily and easily removed or replaced or may be positioned for permanent use during the growing season.

What is claimed is:

1. A tree protector comprising a pair of frame sections, means for pivotally supporting the frame sections at the opposite sides of a, tree, said frame sections adapted to swing upwardly to positions housing a tree, means for securing the sections together at the top of the protector, and flexible covers en the frame sectionsadapted to be extended over the frame sections.

2. A tree protector comprising a pair of frame sections, each section comprising a' lower horizonal rod and an intermediate horizontal rod, curved stays connected with the horizontal rods,

3 plates to which the upper ends of the stays are connected, a latch member adapted to secure the sections together at the top of the protector, and exible coverings for the sections adapted to completely cover the sections.

3. A tree protector comprising a pair of frame sections, each section embodying end stays, arms to which the end stays are connected, supporting bars, means for pivotally connecting the end stays to the supporting bars, whereby said sections may be swung upwardly from opposite sides of a tree, enclosing the tree, and canvas coverings adapted to be drawn upwardly over the frame sections.

4. A tree protector comprising a pair of frame sections, each section embodying end stays,

stays arranged between the end stays, curved rods connecting the stays, plates to which the upper ends of the stays are connected, one of said plates having,r an opening, a latch member pivota'lly connected with the opposite plate and adapted to extend into the opening of the adjacentr plate, securing the upper ends of the sections together, means for pivotally supporting said sections at opposite sides o a tree, cables connected to the sections and by means of which said sections are swung upwardly housing a tree, and a iiexible covering mounted on each of the frame sections and adapted to move over the frame sections covering the frame sections.

JOHN O. SAVAGE. 

